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Photos from past summer visits

For details of our current speakers (or summer visits depending on time of year) please go to our talks and visits page. If you are not a member of the Society then please do join us, the larger our membership the more influence we can bring over matters of concern. Follow link for our past speakers and their subjects

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Photos from our visit to the former RAF Polebrook airfield which is now a re-wilding project managed to encourage a wide natural diversity of wildlife run by the Broadbent family with strategically placed creations of Barney Broadbent, plus two cabins that can be rented out for those wanting total isolation. We were shown round by them, then finished the visit with selection of refreshments prepared by the Broadbents.

RAF Polebrook was used by the USAAF 351st Bombardment Group between 1943 to 1945. The final row of photos shows the memorial (link to memorial location ack. streetmap.co.uk) located on the remains of the eastern end of the main runway, the black triangle with white 'J' was carried on the rudder of the plane to identify their group, a plaque showing the three runways, photo of what is now meadowland where the runways used to be, their concrete bases long since removed, and a remaining 'J-Type' aircraft hanger now used for other purposes, very little else remains of the war-time airbase save evidence of some concrete remains and derelict buildings. All photos taken by the webmaster.

Blatherwycke Walled Garden and Church

Photos from our visit to the Blatherwycke Estate Walled Garden, where we were shown around the work in progress regarding its restoration by Sarah Bonney, Head Gardener, and then we visited Holy Trinity Church also on the estate, now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. We then finished with selection of refreshments and cakes, prepared by Sarah herself. The fourth row has photo of the 'ice house' pit.

The number of pictures originally displayed have been significantly reduced following request from the committee. Reports on the past visits can be found in the relevant Annual Report (follow link) for the year in question

Here are some photos taken by Ian Webb (webmaster) and my thanks to the Heritage Museum for permitting the photos to be displayed on our website:-

Toby Wood has written a booklet 'Central Park - an appreciation' to coincide with this visit, and describes it as an appreciation of, and introduction to, Central Park Peterborough, a place that Toby and his family have used and enjoyed over five generations. The booklet is a comprehensive and definite must read. There are many documents about the Park that have been written over the years, particularly by local historians such as Stephen Perry. The book is priced at £5.00 and can be ordered by clickng on the book cover to the right or print off and use our order form.

Here are some photos taken by Ian Webb (webmaster):-

We had a lovely visit to Kirby Hall, blessed with excellent weather, and ably assisted by our English Heritage guide. We also were very lucky to be given access to the second floor 'attic' showing the substantial timbers of the roof (and also a bat colony), not normally open to visitors. The visit being concluded by having a splendid spread of afternoon tea at Lydia's Coffee Shop at Gretton. Here are some photos taken by Ian Webb (webmaster) and my thanks to Engish Heritage for permitting the photos to be displayed on our website:-

My thanks to the owners of Southwick Hall for allowing the photos to appear on our website.

Committee members Toby Wood and Peter Lee gave us a presentation about John Clare, his life, some examples of his poems, and other appreciations that have been written about Clare over the years, while we were at the John Clare Cottage; Toby kindly giving all attendees a handout to take away of their joint presentation. We then had the opportunity to explore the cottage with the aid of a handheld audio guide. Then we had tea and cakes, and moved on, passing his memorial to St Botolph's Church to see his grave, when Toby gave further readings. Committee member Henry Mansell Duckett then gave a presenation on the architectural features of the church. A most interesting time was had by all.

Toby and Peter's joint presentation of John Clare is available for download (follow the link), and more of Toby's literary writings which have been published by the various local media can be found by visiting the local media page.

Then we moved on to the Ramsey Abbey Walled Garden

2020/2021

With the continuing lock-down due to the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic, all social visits remained suspended.